An excerpt from the chapter "The Chicano Movement" in the book "Mongrels, Bastards, Orphans, and Vagabonds," by L.A.-based writer Gregory Rodriguez:
However, even among latter-generation Mexican Americans who are bilingual, Spanish tends to serve more a colloquial than a formal function; used more in private than in public. In other words, Spanish is generally not the language in which they feel most comfortable conducting business. Likewise, many business owners find the "kitchen Spanish" of many latter-generation Latinos insufficient to "write a memo or close a deal." For instance, in the creative departments of the Spanish-language marketing industry, "demands for 'perfect language skills,' bar most U.S.[-born Latinos]" from employment. Instead, the industry is dominated by foreign-born Latin Americans, "who have relocated to the United States as adults, often to pursue advanced studies, or who have had previous experience in the advertising and marketing industries" in their native countries. Likewise, since its inception, Spanish-language television has either relied heavily on imported programming from Latin America or drawn its talent from "specific Latin American countries, where 'authentic' Spanish speakers are often recruited to work in the United States." The same goes for the staffs of Spanish-language newspapers.
A provocative and interesting point. Rodriguez's book is an overview of the history of mestizaje and Mexican immigration to the north. He argues that, with rising immigration from Mexico, historical Mexican concepts on race will permanently alter the black/white racial binary that has been so deeply embedded in the racial attitudes and assumptions of the United States.
* But more on that later. * Image above via NYT.
